Six condemned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militants including its supremo Abdur Rahman and his second-in-command Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai will be executed between April 13 and 19.The jail authorities yesterday received a copy of the president's rejection of the militants' mercy petitions and as per the jail code the execution will take place between 21st and 28th days from the date of receipt of the president's decision. Inspector General of Police Noor Mohammad told The Daily Star last night that they are apprehending sporadic attacks by the militants as the day for the militants' execution nears. Since the president's rejection of the militant convicts' mercy petition on March 5, police, Rab and intelligence agencies have taken adequate measures to prevent any attempted retaliation by the militants' followers, he added.
Meanwhile, the jail authorities have beefed up security in and Around the jails where the militants are confined to avert any untoward incident that may erupt following the latest decision on the condemned. The six JMB militants were convicted for killing two judges in Jhalakathi in a suicide bomb attack in November 2005. "We have received the copy of the president's rejection of the six militants' mercy petitions today [Thursday] afternoon," Inspector General (Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hasan told The Daily Star yesterday evening. "We are yet to decide the date of execution," he said. "As per the rules the six militants will be executed anytime not before 21 days and not after 28 days and the countdown will start from the date of receipt of the president's decision on the militants' petition for clemency. Thus the execution date will fall between April 13 and 19," said Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddique.
The exact date, time and place for the execution of the militants are yet to be fixed, he said, adding, "We will remain busy up to March 26 and then we will decide when, where and how the execution will be carried out." The executions are usually carried out at one minute past zero hour on the night of 27th day, sources said, adding that it is done on the last day to allow the condemned live as along as the law permits.